Crisis At The Tower; Huskies Deperate for a Win vs. Acadia

Jack Creighton's departure has been one of several troubling storylines this season for SMU

by Steve Betts

SMU has a very possible problem showing up at the game this coming Friday: Acadia. Acadia has beaten SMU already this year and is coming into town to try and make SMU go 0-4 on the season. A situation for Coach Steve Sumarah and Saint Mary's that hasn't happened in many years. Compounded by this situation? Jack Creighton has quit the team for mysterious reasons. SMU worst enemy isn't Acadia, it's themselves. Here is why.

SMU has lost a good player for selfish reasons. Creighton quit on his team and until we find out why, those reasons were selfish and make him look like a quitter. Im sure reasons true and false will run rampant around the AUS and CIS chat rooms and blogs but the bottom line is that he quit. That is not cool for SMU. Coach Sumarah lost Eric Glavic, a budding star to a Blake Nil run team in Calgary. So this isnt new to Sumarah's camp. Im not saying Glavic left, or even Creighton left due to Sumarah but nonetheless the situation is not new. Creighton could have been the man to get them out of this funk but alas he is gone.

First thing is first, fix the QB situation. Micah Brown, a scrambly QB isnt what will get SMU to the finals. He is too young and inexperienced. He shows some greatness potential but he has a lot to learn and is not ready to burden the load.

The next problem is administrative. Is Sumarah the man for the job? There are arguments for and against this but that is a question that will only be answered months from now after the season. A managers true skills come to the top when stress and pressure is applied to his or her job. When a manager is truly great they get through the tough times given the chance. Will SMU give him the time to correct this Husky sled that is off track? We are only concerned about this because of the pedigree of the program. He has less time than say the Mount A coach for example. Either way SMU has a problem with many aspects.

One more thing before I go get for more coffee. What about recruiting? This SMU team, the number 1 program in the AUS has always picked up the best import players. I worry about those A players choosing other schools like Calgary, Queens, Laval and even another AUS team. Throw into the mix the new Atlantic football teams at Dal and UdM in Moncton and you have recruiting competition galore. Imagine being in Quebec and getting a chance to go to UdM and play football and getting a pre-med degree. Its now possible. Imagine being able to go to Dal as an A player and getting a degree in dentistry! It can happen.

A lot of things are happening right now. Who is going to beat who to the punch and take control of their destiny? SMU? Sumarah? Micah Brown? The SMU players themselves? Someone has to step up and make it right. Hurry up. Acadia is coming to town.

Steve Betts is the colour commentator for Dalhousie Tigers hockey on ssncanada.ca and a regular contributor to Haligonia Sports. Follow Steve on twitter, @bettszee.

Tigers Ready to Lace Them Up; Introduce Recruits, Announce New Initiatives

Benjamin Breault's Dalhousie Tigers look to move up the AUS standings in 2010.
(photo credit: Richard Lafortune)

by Bill McLean

In a press conference this afternoon at the Nova Scotia Hall of Fame, the Dalhousie Tiger’s men’s and women’s hockey teams introduced new recruits for the 2010-11 varsity season and announced several partnership initiatives with the HRM community and Dalhousie alumni.


Dalhousie Athletics Director John Macdonald began the conference with a quick speech before giving way to Lesley Jordan, the Head Coach of the Women’s team. Jordan introduced several recruits including three who played in the PWHL last season; Goaltender Zoe Zivolac of the Hamilton Hawks; Meaghan O’Neill of the Oakville Ice; and Rebecca Smyth of the Stoney Creek Sabres.


Among the returnees is AUS first team all star Jocelyn LeBlanc, and second team all star Laura Shearer. Leblanc finished 2nd in AUS scoring last season while Shearer was the conference’s leading scoring defensemen.


“We think we have a fast paced, hard working group of athletes and we expect to be in the hunt for the AUS championship,” said Jordan in her closing comments.


Next up was Men’s Coach Pete Belliveau, who began his address by reminding the media and dignitaries assembled that AUS Men’s Hockey was “the best hockey in Atlantic Canada.”


Belliveau went on to list the team’s progress in 2009/10, which included an 11 point jump in the standings, and being the second most improved team in Canada.


The third year coach announced his recruiting class beginning with the headliner, Pierre-Alexandre Vandall. Vandall was a high scoring forward in the QMJHL for the Shawinigan Cataractes. Joining Vandall in the forward corps is Patrick Daley and Brett Theberge, who stared last season for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL.


Belliveau was realistic in his assessment of his team chances this season in the highly competitive AUS. “We think we turned the corner last year….we feel that we’ll be middle of the pack this season and competitive every night. We’ve added a great deal of speed, skill, and size.”


Master of Ceremonies and Tiger’s assistant coach, Paul Boutillier, then announced a partnership with the Dalhousie Tigers alumni that will see the athletics department set aside designated nights on the men’s hockey schedule to honor past players and teams.


The Decade Chairs initiative will pay tribute to players from four different decades. The first event is seventies night on October 15.


The Tigers also introduced the Black Youth Ice Hockey Initiative, the result of a partnership with the Black Ice Hockey /Sport Hall of Fame Society, Sport Nova Scotia, and Hockey Nova Scotia.


The program will attempt to get more African Canadian youth in the HRM to participate in hockey and learn basic skills. Tiger’s players will help serve as mentors for participants and assist HNS coaches in teaching skills during designated practice times.


The press conference closed with a tribute to Jim Bottomly, the Tiger’s living legend who now coaches the Bridgewater Lumberjacks of the MJHL.


In his speech, Bottomly congratulated Pete Belliveau for his recruiting of several maritime junior players including Dan Joyce (Weeks County Crushers), Ben Mccaskill (former Moosehead and Truro Bearcat), and Nick Croft (Miramichi Timberwolves).


Questions or comments? Email us at haligoniasports@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter @haligoniasports.

Street Hockey: A Canadian Institution Under Attack

A staple of canadian sports culture is slowly being taken away from us.

by Joel MacDougall

The seeds of a disturbing epidemic seems to be sprouting in this country.

The ailment?

NGCD, or No-Goodian Cantankerouseum Disorder to use its proper classification. The most troubling symptom of NGCD appears to be an overwhelming urge by those afflicted to spoil the enjoyment and physical activity of others.

Most recently there have been a number of instances of Canadian residents filing complaints with law enforcement agencies over children playing street hockey, of all places, on the street!!???

This weekend saw one such incidence occur in the rural community of Prospect, Nova Scotia (about 30 minutes outside of Halifax). On a quiet cul-de-sac, well away from anything close to moderate traffic volume, the RCMP were called in to put a halt to a kids’ game of street hockey.

When the RCMP arrived the game had already finished, and the children had moved on to other games, but parents of the children were told that if there were further complaints, the RCMP might have no other option but to confiscate the kids equipment.

This is the second such incidence in Nova Scotia this year. In April, RCMP were called to break up a game in Enfield, NS after a neighbour complained. (Link)

A disturbing trend is that in neither situation were the parents of the children involved contacted prior to calling the police, nor is the exact nature of the complaint expressed, so that perhaps a compromise could be found.

Of course, I am being overly optimistic by suggestting a compromise is possible. Most likely, there is little, if any, rationale for filing a complaint over children playing a game.

I sympathize with the police, because I know they don’t want to be involved in telling kids to stop playing. I am sure they would rather encourage kids to be involved in such activities, instead of participating in much destructive behavious. However, they have the unfortunate duty to respond to the complaints of residents and enforce the laws as they are written.

I also understand that municpalities are responsible for public safety and have concerns about liability. The laws that are on the books are primarily to protect children from playing near high traffic areas where the chance of injury is higher. Not rural neighbourhoods where the traffic is comprised mainly of the parents of the children playing in the street. Common sense needs to prevail and the sentiment has ben growing across the country.

Street hockey bylaws have long been a source of dispute in Canadian cities:

"Montreal In March, hundreds signed a petition in support of a Montreal-area father who was fined $75 for playing street hockey with his son and friends. The acting mayor of Dollard-des-Ormeaux said the bylaw should not be revoked but should only be enforced if there is a complaint.

- Kingston A Kingston cul-de-sac became the centre of a bitter road hockey dispute in 2008. The 15-house street led to 12 street-hockey-related complaints in the previous year — the highest for any street in the city. One resident who supported the bylaw banning street sports said she had been “turned into the Wicked Witch of the West,” by bitter neighbours.

- Halifax In January 2006, Sidney Crosby waded into the debate over a street hockey ban in Halifax, writing a letter to the mayor asking him to rethink a vaguely worded law that could have been used to outlaw street hockey.

- Rothesay, N.B. Two years before that, Bobby Orr made his displeasure known about a proposed Rothesay, N.B., street hockey ban. Town officials changed the bylaw to forbid the impeding of traffic instead of outright banning street hockey.

- Hamilton In 2001 in Hamilton, a resident frustrated with hockey playing neighbours took her complaint to district court. It was thrown out, but in drew support from hockey fans across the country.

- Port Coquitlam, B.C. In 2000, former Toronto Maple Leaf and Vancouver Canuck Tiger Williams stepped in when condo owners here went to court to force neighbourhood children off the road. “Ball hockey, roller hockey, ice hockey, it’s the fabric of this country, Mr. Williams said. He offered to pay the kids’ legal bills."

via The National Post

There is ever increasing distraction from actual physical activity and the outside world for kids today. I grew up playing hockey. My winters were spent bouncing between rinks throughout the province. Whenever the weather began to turn and the snow to melt, my neighbour became home ice for the Stanley Cup Championship to be fought over on a daily basis.

Games were played as long as there was two of us: one to play net and the other playing the part of the other 10 skaters.

Now it appears the game is under attack and it is just another reason for kids to stay inside and not be physically active. Please voice your opinion, and let kids keep playing outside.

Joel MacDougall lives in Halifax and loves hockey and baseball. Follow him on twitter @jmdougall. Joel's website is http://www.route19.wordpress.com/.

Huskies on Haligonia; Friday Night Football This Weekend

The struggling Huskies will be looking for revenge vs. the Axemen

The beleaguered Saint Mary’s Huskies football team will look to get on track this Friday night vs. the Acadia Axemen at Huskies Stadium.

The game starts at 7:00 and will be webcast on Haligonia.ca as part of the website’s season long broadcast schedule of Huskies athletics.

Mavs Gillis and Dan Campbell will have the call from the stadium. The webcast will feature several interviews with Huskies players, administrators, fans, and alumni.

“Even with the slow start for Saint Mary’s this season, Friday Night Football at Huskies stadium is one of the premier events of the fall varsity season in Halifax”, says Bill McLean of Haligonia Sports. “ It will be a lot of fun with the rejuvenated Acadia Axemen playing a Huskies team desperate for it’s first win of the season.”

Haligonia’s coverage will begin at approximately 6:50 and continue well past the final whistle with post game analysis and interviews.

It’s the Huskies on Haligonia.ca! Friday Night Football from the stadium on www.live.haligonia.ca.

Questions or Comments? Email us at haligoniasports@gmail.com

Marauders Gameday; Battle of First Place Teams on Haligonia

Dylan King has Eight assists this season for the Metros.

(photo credit: Michael Fines)

Tonight's Opponent- Miramichi Timberwolves(http://www.miramichitimberwolves.ca/)

Game Time: Friday, September 24th, 7:00
Where: Dartmouth Sportsplex. Game will be broadcast on www.live.haligonia.ca. Mavs Gillis and Steve Betts will have the call.
Marauders Record: 5W 1L, first place in the Bent Division
Marauders Leading Scorer: #22 Justin Belanger with 11 points.
Interesting Factoid: The Metros have the top three scorers in the MHL with Belanger the leader, and John MacDonald and Dylan King tied for second with 8 points.

Meet the Miramichi Timberwolves
Record- 3W 1L, First Place in the Meek Division
Head Coach- Billy McGuigan

Key Players

#17 Matt Wilson: The Timberwolves Captain has 6 points on the season.
#11Nathan McQuaid: 20 year old Assistant captain is a big body and has 7 points on the season.
#9 Jesse MacIntyre : 20 year old Assistant Captain has 7 points on the season.

Recent Wolves News- Timberwolves won their home opener 3-1 over the Truro Bearcats this past Sunday. Goaltender Nathan Dunnett made 45 saves.

Marauders Notes

Wayne Bedecki is tied for 4th place in MHL scoring with 7 points…..all of Dylan King’s 8 points on the season have been assists…..the Marauders suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday night in Woodstock. The Slammers beat Metro 3-1 to improve to 2-0 on the season….Friday night’s game is a battle of first place teams. Troy Ryan said the Timberwolves are easily one of the best teams in the league this past Tuesday on Bill McLean Sports Show……Ryan also confirmed on Tuesday that Kyle Dilosa’s days with the team are officially over…..The Marauders have outscored their opponents 24-12 so far this season….the Metro’s Goaltender Alex Newman leads the MHL with 0.67 GAA and a .976 save percentage.

Picks to Click: Steve- Andrew Wigginton; Mavs- Wayne Bedecki

Coach Troy Ryan: "We’re learning what kind of a team we have really quickly with the road game at Woodstock yesterday and now Friday vs. a very good Miramichi team. This game will be an excellent measuring stick for us.”

Questions or Comments? Email us at haligoniasports@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter @haligoniasports

Brent Andrews QMJHL's Third Star of the Week

Brent Andews scored 4 goals in a Mooseheads 9-3 romp at Bathurst.

(Photo Credit: Richard Lafortune)

From the QMJHL

BOUCHERVILLE, Monday, September 20, 2010 – Forwards Jonathan Audy-Marchessault and Brent Andrews as well as defenseman Hugo Laporte today were named the TELUS three stars of the week for the period extending from September 13 to 19.

Quebec Remparts forward Jonathan Audy-Marchessault gets the nod as the week’s first star following an incredible game on Friday in which he tallied two goals and five assists in a 12-3 victory over the Lewiston MAINEiacs at Colisée Pepsi. He also added an assist in a 4-1 win over the Screaming Eagles and finished the week with a +6 rating.

Hugo Laporte, the 20 year-old defenseman of the Gatineau Olympiques warrants the second star after collecting one goal and four assists in two games. The Ste-Julie native enjoyed his best outing on Friday, recording three helpers in a 6-0 victory over the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Moreover, he posted a +2 rating.

Halifax Mooseheads winger Brent Andrews earns the third star. He became the first player in nearly a decade to record four goals in one game. His four-goal outburst helped the Mooseheads defeat the Titan 9-3. Andrews also added a goal in a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Follow Joel MacDougall on twitter @jmdougall. Joel's website is www.route19.wordpress.com.

Octagon to the Gridiron

TJ Grant speaks on UFC 119 and Football

You may have heard of the expression, live everyday like it was your last. With TJ Grant, his hard work that he puts in is like he is fighting his last fight. He will bring in that attitude with him this weekend at UFC 119 in Indianapolis against Julio Paulino. Everything seems to be going according to plan for Grant.


“It feels good, I am just looking forward to fight week,” says Grant,


“I am getting to be be able to rest up a little bit and just get to Indianapolis and get adjusted.”


With Grant, he is coming into this fight after a tough lose to Johnny Hendricks at UFC 113 in Montreal. While he may have lost, he still looked good in the match with his striking and was able to stay off his back against the two time NCAA wrestling champion. While watching him train at his gym Fitplus, the Cole Harbour native was looking good in all aspects of his mixed martial arts game. Coming off a lose, Grant has been in this position before and has come out on top. Even thou he knows he has done well in this area before, the pressure cooker is still on.


“There is a lot of pressure obliviously,” says Grant.


“I want to win man. I want to win every single time. I hate losing, even in training. The fight is just as important as every other fight but especially being on the ropes with a lost in the UFC. With my last lost, I don't want to go two in a row.”


With Paulino, Grant knows the kind of danger that he can bring into the octagon. While his only appearance in the UFC being a decision going the other way to Mike Pierce back in March. Paulino is a knockout artist with 10 of his 17 wins coming by ko in his mma career. He does have the ability to finish a fight early and has notable wins over the likes of Terry Martin. He does however seem to have trouble against wrestlers. While Paulino has the one punch power to end a fight, Grant sees this fight being more of a battle of wits.


“I just need to be more intelligent and not make stupid mistakes,” says Grant.


“I need to lead out more with my footwork because he is a strong puncher and you just don't want to leave yourself out of position. He has lost to some really good wrestlers, I am not saying there is any shame in that but he is more of a striker obliviously. I feel like I am very well rounded and I am going into the fight with a open mind.”


While Grant has put a lot of his attention on this match up on Saturday, he can't help him himself into watching some NFL. He loves a good game of football on Sunday and we couldn't help but ask him his thoughts on the season after week one. With Grant, he likes cheering on a veteran quarterback who wears the number four to win the Super Bowl one more time.


“I want to see the Vikings (Minnesota) do it,” says Grant.


“There are a lot of good teams, like the Patriots (New England) looked good. Every season is crazy man, its still early but the Packers (Green Bay) looked good. They are just going to keep building and they got so much talent. I am going to pick the Vikings but the Saints (New Orleans), you can't count them out either. I wanted to see the Vikings win last year, they should have , they were the better team but they didn't.”


While he not be playing at Lucas Oil stadium this weekend in Indy, Grant will be like a football player and be a workhorse win or lose when the cage door closes at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday night.

Derek Leblanc is a sports broadcaster and writer living in Halifax. Email him at derekleblanc34@gmail.com

Marauders Have No Problems with Commandos; Improve to 5-0 on Season

Justin Belanger had two assists to increase his MJHL scoring lead to ten.

(photo credit: Michael Fines)

by Bill McLean

Looking for a dominant junior hockey team to watch in Halifax?
Ladies and gentleman…… I give you the Metro Marauders.
I’m sure Marauders Head Coach and General Manager, Troy Ryan, would implore us to hold off on any such salutations.
But after reeling off five wins in a row to begin the MJHL season, you can hardly blame Metro fans for being a little giddy about the team’s hot start to the 2010/11 season.
The Marauders made easy work of the Dieppe Commandos tonight at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, improving to ten points in the standings, six ahead of their nearest competitors.
The Marauders have outscored their opponents 24-9 so far this season. The only possible blemish for the team has been a 7-6 loss to Bridgewater, which was overturned this week by the league due to a rules infraction by the Lumberjacks.
It’s good times for Ryan and the Marauders.
In a week where the team bid adieu to President Matt Hill and talented but troubled forward Kyle Dilosa, the Marauders have easily stayed on course, outplaying their opponents in every facet of the game.
On Friday night at the Plex, the Marauders had four different players score to pace the team to a 4-1 victory over the Commandos. Former Yarmouth Mariner, John Hubley, tapped in a rebound to tie the game in the first period. Brad Macdonald scored the game winner early in the second, followed by a short handed goal by Chris Riguse to give the Metros all the separation they would need.
Wayne Bedecki rounded out the scoring in the third period to seal the win. MJHL scoring leader, Justin Belanger, tallied two assists to boost his points total to an even ten.
The next Marauders home game is Friday, September 24th vs. the Miramichi Timberwolves. Game time from the Dartmouth Sportsplex is 7:00.

Metro Notes:
Tanner Manson was assessed a 5 minute minor and game misconduct for a hit from behind on the Commando’s Jordan Court in the second period…..Commandos are really going to struggle to score this season. They had several chances but just couldn’t finish…..decent crowd at the Plex tonight, attendance announced at 480…..I love the Sportsplex, but the automatic locked doors up until 30 minutes before game time has to go……Wayne Bedecki is a great 20 year old for the Marauders. Great special teams player who is putting up some points in the early going…..Troy Ryan has officially closed the book on the Kyle Dilosa era, he will not dress for the Marauders again. Dilosa had been in and out of Ryan’s doghouse throughout his time with the team……looks like we have our first BIG game of the season. This Wednesday the undefeated Marauders will play the 2010 MJHL champion Slammers in Woodstock.

Comments or questions? Email us at haligoniasports@gmail.com. Follow us on facebook via “haligonia sports”, and on twitter, @haligoniasports

(photo credit: Michael Fines)

The undefeated Marauders will face their biggest challenge of the season in Woodstock vs. the 2010 champion Slammers on Wednesday night.

Mooseheads, Eagles, and Sea Dogs bid for 2012 Memorial Cup

by Joel MacDougall

The Memorial Cup may be coming to the Maritimes in a couple of years. Halifax, Cape Breton and Saint John all submitted bids, along with the Shawinigan Cataractes, to host Major Junior hockey’s national championship tournament in 2012.

The host team is will be picked on a number of criteria, but one important factor is being able to ice a contending team. The host team is typically one projected to have a very good shot at making it to the tournament even if they were not the host. The remaining three teams earn their spots by winning their individual leagues.

At first glance it might be difficult to project who will be a contender because so much is based on how prospects will develop. However, at least one team is looking to string together three consecutive contending seasons.

The Saint John Sea Dogs are currently ranked second in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), behind this year’s Memorial Cup host, the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. The Sea Dogs spent 23 weeks in the rankings last season before falling to the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL finals. Despite being contenders this year and last, the Sea Dogs will have a strong returning core next season.

Saint John boasts a number of players that are looked upon as quality prospects for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. As they have a number of players already drafted that could return, some as overagers.

The Halifax Mooseheads are prime example of the difficulty in projecting a contending team. The Mooseheads are entering a rebuilding year with a number of young talent players that could have them contending by 2012. They’re led by Martin Frk, who isn’t eligible for the upcoming draft, but is already getting consideration as a top pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Think of the excitement if Halifax hosted the Memorial Cup with the potential #1 overall pick leading the way.

A double-edged sword for the Mooseheads will be that they hosted the Memorial Cup in 2000. While it will demonstrate how well Halifax can successfully pull of the event, there is a natural disposition to award it to markets that have not had the opportunity to host the event. Halifax can also point to a number of international hockey tournaments as proof of the success they will have. Halifax hosted 2003 World Junior Championship, the 2004 Women’s World Hockey Championship and co-hosted the 2008 IIHF World Hockey Championships with Quebec City.

“I think the only challenge is the fact that we hosted the Memorial Cup in 2000 and whether or not people think somebody else should have a turn,” said Mooseheads owner Bobby Smith earlier this summer. “It certainly isn’t one of the listed criteria, to be on some kind of a rotating system. I don’t think that should work against us.”

Sydney, the Screaming Eagles hometown, was also part of the 2003 World Junior tournament and that will surely be mentioned in its bid. Cape Breton has never hosted the Memorial Cup, and has a team that will compete hard this year and the potential to be better next year.

Shawinigan looks to also be a strong competitor for the 2012 Cup. The Cataractes were the hosts in 1985, but only the first two games were played in Shawinigan. The Aréna Jacques-Plante (AKA Shawingian Municipal Auditorium) has a number of support columns in the seats, and televising games from the building proved impossible. Drummondville was chosen as an alternate venue, although the Voltigeurs did not participate in the tournament. Addressing this issue with a new building is now one of the strengths of the Cataractes bid along with their long history in the league.

A brief which underlines the ability of bidding franchises to host the event must be forwarded to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s head office prior to November 30. The independent committee will then begin touring potential sites in early 2011 with a decision coming in April.

If I had to put money on it, my early favourite is Saint John. They have top-notch facilities and a team that looks to be very competitive this year and next. Certainly, as a Cape Bretoner living in Halifax, I will be rooting for the two Nova Scotia bids.

Whether hosting or hoisting it, hopefully one of the Maritime teams will get the Memorial Cup in 2012.

Joel MacDougall lives in Halifax and is devoted to covering sports in the Maritimes. Follow Joel on twitter @JMDougall

Metro Marauders Game Day Preview

The Marauder's Justin Belanger leads the MHL in scoring with 8 points.

(Photo Credit: Michael Fines)

Tonight's Opponent- Dieppe Commandos
Game Time: 7:00
Where: Dartmouth Sportsplex. Game will be broadcast on haligonia.ca. Mavs Gillis and Bill McLean will have the call.
Marauders Record: 4W 0L
Marauders Leading Scorer: #22 Justin Belanger with 8 points, which also leads the MHL.
Interesting Factoid: The Bridgewater Lumberjacks had their victory over Metro this past Sunday revoked due to use of ineligible players. The Marauders were given the victory and two points as a result.

Meet the Dieppe Commandos
Record- 1W 2L
Head Coach- James Arsenault
Key Players- #4 Dillen Theriault: 20 year old high scoring defenceman and team captain.
#17 Ryan Macdonald: 20 year old assistant captain. Scored 37 points last season.
#3 Joslin Gallant: Commandos #1 pick in 2010.

Recent News- The Commandos acquired Nicholas Cyr and a 4th round pick in 2012 from the Summerside Western Capitals for 20 yr old and former Moosehead, Chuckie Schembri. Schembri was released last year from the Moose for disciplinary reasons. Cyr scored 24 points in only 35 games last season for the Capitals as a rookie.

Marauders Notes: The Marauders have six players in the Top 10 MHL scoring leaders

(Belanger, John Macdonald, Dylan King, Wayne Bedecki, Stuart Lenehan, and Stephen Popovich)........Metro has scored nineteen goals in their first four games. Not bad for a team that really struggled to score last season.....the game is the second of a back to back. Metro defeated Dieppe 5-0 last night in Dieppe....this game will be the Marauders 5th in 8 nights....Stefan Dumaresque and Alex Newman have split time so far at goaltender. Newman is leading the MHL with a .50 GAA and save percentage of .984.

Picks to Click: Bill- Stuart Lenehan; Mavs- John Macdonald

Coach Troy Ryan: "We seem to have all the lines rolling and were playing with a great deal of intensity. Winning streaks don't happen all the time so hopefully we can keep it going tonight vs. a very tough Dieppe Commandos team."

Questions or Comments? Email us at haigoniasports@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter @haligoniasports.

NSSBL Hands Out Hardware

Veteran Dartmouth Moosehead Dry third baseman, Joel Irvine, has been selected as the 2010 NSSBL Most Valuable Player for the fourth time. He led the league in hitting for the second time with a .393 average and topped the circuit with 44 hits. Irvine slugged 4 home runs and 10 doubles while collecting 29 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.
The Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League is also pleased to announce Guy Pellerine of the Truro Bearcats as the winner of the Gary MacDonald Memorial Golden Glove and Bat Award. Pellerine was selected by virtue of having collected the most player of the game awards given by the opposition throughout the regular season. Pellerine had an outstanding season finishing second in batting with a .383 average; third in hits with 41, including 7 home runs. A former star infielder with the Pictou County Albions, of the Nova Scotia Intermediate League, Pellerine has obviously made a successful leap to the NSSBL and received his first NSSBL all-star selection this year.
The league also announced those selected to the league All-Star team:
C: Matt Denney – Sydney
1B: Greg West – Dartmouth
2B: Adam Lucas – Halifax
3B: Joel Irvine – Dartmouth
*SS: Ian Lockhart – Kentville:Guy Pellerine – Truro
OF: Chris Head – DartmouthOF: Beau Chaisson – Sydney*OF: Jeff Chisholm – TruroMark Pelham – HalifaxColin Johnson – Dartmouth: .303 batting average
DH: Curtis Falls – Kentville
RHP: Steve Nelson – Dartmouth
*LHP: Jason Bailey – DartmouthBarrett Bellefontaine – Halifax
COACH: Jim (Rico) MacEachern – Sydney:

Follow Joel MacDougall on twitter, @jmdougall.

Saint Mary's Huskies on Haligonia.ca

Friday night football, eight basketball doubleheaders to highlight broadcast schedule.

Haligonia.ca and Saint Mary’s athletics are joining forces to bring AUS fans live coverage of Huskies home games throughout the 2009-10 varsity season.

Friday night football headlines the broadcast schedule with the Acadia Axemen visiting the stadium on October 1st and Steve Sumarah’s Huskies vs. the Saint Francis Xavier X-Men on October 15th.

Mavs Gillis, the voice of the Halifax Rainmen on haligonia.ca, will be the play by play voice for Huskies football and basketball.

“It’s really exciting to be bringing the proud tradition of Huskies athletics to the loyal Saint Mary’s alumni, parents, and fans on haligonia.ca,” says Gillis.

Dalhousie Tigers fans will be happy to know that the schedule will feature plenty of match ups between the south end rivals, including the Huskies basketball home opener vs. the Tigers on November 23rd.

“Haligonia Sports is completely dedicated to coverage of local sport,” says Bill McLean of Haligonia.ca. “We wanted to make sure to schedule as many games as possible that pitted the Huskies vs. Tigers.”

“The opportunity for us to bring live coverage of Huskies athletics is a huge step forward and we can’t wait to get started. We’re really excited to be showcasing Saint Mary’s to a national audience.”

The schedule will also consist of several women’s hockey games and women’s volleyball matches. Check out Haligonia Sports on Facebook for the complete Huskies webcast schedule.

Coverage begins on Wednesday, September 22nd at 5:00 with women’s and men’s soccer at Huskies Stadium vs. the Dalhousie Tigers. Just go to Haligonia.ca and click on sports to see the game.

Questions or comments? Email us at haligoniasports@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter @haligoniasports.

Saturday AUS Roundup; Acadia Shocks SMU, Tigers Soccer Dominates at Wickwire

Jeanette Huck scored to pace the Tigers to an easy victory over Acadia at Wickwire Field

(Photo Credit: Nick Pearce)

by Bill McLean

Shocker in Wolfville; Acadia 17 Smu 7.

This game was supposed to be a tune up for the Huskies before the big event of the year next weekend at the Stadium vs the Laval Rouge et Or.

Oops.

Looking at the stats it would appear that the turnover played a major role as Jack Creighton threw three interceptions for Saint Mary's. It would also seem that Steve Sumarah is going to go with a two headed monster look at running back with Devon Jones and Craig Leger combining for 104 yards on 20 carries.

Huskies fans should not be too worried about not competing in the AUS. Creighton struggled last year in the season opener vs. X and quickly recovered. Justin Palardy's replacement for the time being, Brett Lauther, kicked two field goals of 28 and 34 yards.

Huskies fans should be worried that the team will compete next week with the number one ranked Rouge et Or next weekend.

Huskies fans can also take solace in knowing that the St Fx Xmen were upset in Sackville, losing to the Mounties 19-6. With the victory, Mount Allison has already surpassed it's win total from last season.

Tiger's Soccer off to Good Start; Sweep Acadia at Wickwire.

It was an afternoon of wind, rain, sun, cold, rowdy fans, and Dalhousie domination on the pitch as a batch of 5th year seniors led the Tigers teams to convincing victories over Acadia.

AUS First team all stars Jeannette Huck and Ross Hagan combined for three goals to get their respective teams back on the road to redemption after dissapointing conclusions to their 2009 seaasons.

Local product and fellow fifth year senior Craig Haughn was stellar in the midfield for the Tigers, as was 1st year player Daphne Wallace from Ottawa for the women's team.

Both teams get back at it on Sunday vs. Universite de Moncton at 1:00 at Wickwire.

In other action;

Women's Soccer: Moncton 2 Saint Mary's 0

Men's Soccer: Saint Mary's 1 Moncton 0

Other Big Game: Rematch of the ACAA men's soccer final at Wickwire at 8:00 as the Kings Blue Devils host the Holland College Hurricanes.

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Marauders Maul Bearcats in Season Opener

The Metro Marauders kicked off the season last night at the Dartmouth Sportsplex

(Photo Credit: Michael Fines)

by Bill McLean

The Metro Marauders took full advantage of a listless Truro Bearcats squad in their season opener.

Playing for the first time at the Dartmouth Sportsplex, Metro dominated the Bearcats from start to finish, rolling to an easy 5-0 victory in front of nearly five hundred fans on Friday night.

Former Halifax Moosehead Bradley Macdonald led the way with 2 power play goals, giving goaltender Stefan Dumaresque all the insurance he would need to post a shutout after facing only 15 shots from the Bearcats.

Another former Moosehead, Justin Belanger, and veterans Wayne Bedecki and Kyle Dilosa rounded out the scoring for Metro garnering 1 goal each. The Marauders tallied 27 shots on goal.

The Marauders easily won the match up of special teams, going 3 for 5 on the power play while easily killing off only four penalties of their own.

The win kicks off a busy weekend for the Marauders. Tonight they'll travel to Yarmouth to meet the Jr.A Mariners, then quickly hop on the bus and get back to Dartmouth for a sunday afternoon tilt with one their major rivals, the Bridgewater Lumberjacks.

Game time at the Dartmouth Sportsplex on sunday is 1:00.

Tanner Manson was a physical force for the Marauders

Notes

Big thumbs up to the franchise for moving to the Sportsplex. God bless the venerable old Forum on Windsor but there is no comparison to the intimacy of the Sportsplex.....as dominating as the Marauders were, the Bearcats were dull and uninspired. A very dissapointing performance from a good hockey team playing it's season opener.....pretty good crowd at the Plex considering it was a summer friday night in Halifax and the Moose were kicking off thier season across the harbour.....Tanner Manson played a great game for the Marauders. The big, brusing forward set the tone early with his physical play and energy.

"We really set the pace right from the start and we had a lot of guys playing with energy. I couldn't be more pleased with our special teams and hopefully we can keep the momentum going throughout the weekend."

Troy Ryan, Marauders Head Coach and GM

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Five AUS Games You Need to See This Fall

A battle of national champions at the Forum highlights the AUS fall hockey schedule

Well friends, we are just one week away from the start of another year of exciting varsity sports.

It is the battles waged between universities on the ice, court, and field that get my sports fans juices flowing. From football, to hockey, to Basketball, I love watching all the big games.

It’s actually a cruel overload. With the NFL and NHL in full flight by October, and the Moosheads and Marauders playing several times a week, it can be hard for a sports fan to keep up. You find yourself having to pick and choose which games you absolutely need to attend, and which ones you can read about in the paper the next day.

To help you prepare for the upcoming varsity season, here are 5 games you should not miss this fall in beautiful Halifax.

5) Football: Saint Francis Xavier X-Men vs. Saint Mary’s Huskies. Friday, Oct.15
This late fall visit to Huskies Stadium for the X-Men has been disastrous the past several seasons.

Since 2006, the Huskies have outscored St FX 175-22 in 4 regular season games at the stadium. More often than not, the X-Men get blown out in a highly anticipated affair featuring the two best teams in the AUS.

This season the stakes will be no different, and if the X-Men finally want to get over the top of Mount Husky, they’ll need a far better performance than they’ve offered recently.

4) Basketball: Dalhousie Tigers at Saint Mary’s Huskies. Tuesday, November.23
The women’s game could be the final coronation of Scott Munro’s Huskies as the dominant team in Halifax.

Anna Stammberger’s Tigers have been depleted due to the graduation of the Girdwood twins and April Scott, while the Huskies have reloaded with the acquisition of former AUS all star Susanne Canvin from PEI.

Canvin should form the conference’s best 1-2 punch with 2nd year superstar Justine Colley to keep the Huskies near the top of the standings all season.

The Tiger’s will need the outstanding sophomore duo of Anna Von Maltzhann and Patricia McNeil to make significant statistical contributions if they are to escape with a victory from the Tower.

The men’s game will feature two of the top guards in the country in Joey Haywood and Simon Farine. Farine, the fifth year senior, will be trying to get the Tigers back on track after a mediocre season following their AUS championship in 2008.

Haywood will be looking to put his own personal stamp on the Huskies program following the brilliant careers of Mark Mclaughlin and Ike Ichegbu, while ridding Huskies fans of the memory of his controversial foul on St. FX’s Christian Upshaw at the AUS semi finals in Sydney.

The game is a treat for basketball fans who love half court basketball, pitting Ross Quackenbush’s beautiful passing offence vs. the precision of John Campbell’s offensive sets.

3) Men's Soccer: Cape Breton Capers vs. Dalhousie Tigers. Saturday, September.18 This game will not receive the media attention it deserves for two reasons:
1) It is soccer.
2) It is the same day as the Laval vs. SMU football game.

But for AUS soccer fans this is an anticipated match featuring two teams that suffered disappointing conclusions to their 2009 seasons for different reasons.

The Capers won the AUS championship at Wickwire field in extra time over a gritty UPEI squad, but had their season come to an end a week later at nationals with a lack lustre effort vs. Trinity Western.

The Tigers suffered a far worse fate, being upset by the Panthers on a controversial first goal and a spirited comeback that fell just shy in the waning minutes on a frigid November night at Wickwire.

The Tigers have recruited with the purpose of strengthening the positions where they appeared to be outmanned by UPEI, and they once again have an AUS championship in their sights.

The confident Capers will come to Wickwire with the swagger of a champion and featuring one of the best players in the country in midfielder Andrew Rigby.

The game should go a long way in determining seeding at the conference championships in a year where only one AUS team will qualify for the nationals.

So do yourself a favour, after Laval and SMU finish around supper time, go grab a bite, then head up to Wickwire for a soccer game that should be a spirited affair. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15.

2) Men’s Hockey: UNB Varsity Reds vs. SMU Huskies. Saturday, November 13.
These national powerhouse programs enter the season coming off dramatically different finishes to the 2009 campaign.

Coming off a CIS championship in 2009, the Varsity Reds were the number one ranked team in the country for most of the year and nearly went undefeated throughout the regular season. In late February the team suffered an unprecedented collapse, losing three times in a row to the Saint Francis Xavier X-Men, the final two losses coming in the playoffs.

The Huskies brushed aside Acadia in the AUS semi finals and then demolished the X-Men in the AUS finals after a regular season that, up to the acquisition of Mike Danton, had been an episode in frustration for Trevor Steinburg and his talented group of veterans.

Danton provided a breath of fresh air in the locker room with his joyful enthusiasm and the rejuvenated Huskies never looked back, defeating Alberta in overtime to win the national championship.

The Varsity Reds will be loaded for another run at an AUS title with the conference’s best player, Hunter Trembley, leading the way.

SMU has added a former NHL second round pick in the form of 6’3” defenceman Kyle Wharton, and may be the national favourites to go back to back. Even with the losses of Marc Rancourt, and Cody Thornton, the Huskies should be a top three team throughout the season

The AUS has the best hockey in the maritimes and is the strongest conference in the country...if you’re going to see one Huskies hockey game this fall, this is the one.

1) Men’s Football: Laval Rouge et Or vs.SMU Huskies. Saturday, September 18.
In the words of Keith Jackson....”Oh Nellie”.

This game is big.

The only bad thing about this game is that it took far too long to come to fruition. With the AUS/QUFC interlock agreement, it’s hard to believe that administrators haven’t tried to make this rivalry an annual contest.

The Huskies and the Rouge et Or have been the two most consistent programs in Canada over the past decade. Almost without exception, the teams have played significant roles in determining the national championship by either playing in the final, or just coming up one game short.

Such was the case last year when Laval lost a heartbreaker to the Queen’s Golden Gaels, while the Huskies suffered a bitter blowout to their newest nemesis, Blake Nill and Eric Glavic’s Calgary Dinos.

After the Dino’s loss to Saskatchewan in week one, and Laval’s thrashing of McGill, the Rouge et Or have already taken their rightful place at the top of the rankings, and will very likely come in to Halifax undefeated on the season.

The Huskies have to make a trip to Wolfville next weekend where they are likely to whip a young Acadia team, and then begin the arduous task of preparing for Laval.

Saint Mary's got pushed around in the Uteck Bowl last year vs. Calgary and Steve Sumarah has recruited with the purpose of getting bigger and stronger. The game vs. Laval will give Sumarah an immediate indication as to whether or not the big, bad Huskies are back.

One thing is for sure; CIS football coaches and pundits across the country will be watching.

The Best of the Rest

- The Loney Bowl- I didn’t put it on the list because there is no guarantee it will be at Huskies stadium. But if it’s not, I’ll be shocked.
- Men’s Hockey: SMU vs. Dalhousie. Friday, October 15. The Huskies manhandled Dalhousie last season, but the rivalry was renewed after Trevor Steinburg and Pete Belliveau had a heated altercation after a game in late January.
- Men’s Hockey: UNB vs. Dalhousie. Saturday, November 27. Because you have to see this Varsity Reds team. Plus, Belliveau’s Tigers play them tough at the Dalhousie Memorial Arena.
- Women’s Soccer: St FX vs. Dalhousie. Friday, October 22. Revenge is the storyline here. The Tigers will be out for redemption after the X-Women defeated them in last year’s AUS semi final on a stormy day in early November.
- Men’s Volleyball: Trinity Western vs. Dalhousie, October 22/23. This exhibition match will be a treat for volleyball fans in Halifax; a visiting team at Dalplex who can actually compete with Dan Ota’s Tigers.
- Women’s Hockey: SMU vs. Dalhousie. Wednesday, November 3. Lisa Jordan’s AUS champion Huskies vs. Lesley Jordan’s Tigers looking to bounce back from a disappointing season.

Bill McLean is the voice of the Dalhousie Tigers on ssncanada.ca. Follow Bill on twitter @haligoniasports.

W-1 Card Set for October 23rd in Halifax

by Derek Leblanc

Since the announcement was made that W-1 was coming to do a show in Halifax, the mixed martial arts scene in the Maritimes has been waiting to see who will be fighting in there own backyard. Over the weekend, the company has put the card up on there website and that the show will take place at the Halifax Forum. The result should leave mma fans pleased.

“We are very excited to be coming out to Halifax and were putting on a little but more of a local card,” says Jack Batemen, W-1 President/Founder.

“What we have done is try and take the top local talent from the east coast and have it for everyone to see across the country. Were really excited to have this new ground that were moving into and to come back on a regular basis.”

The Main event will see a heavyweight bout Brett Rogers (10-2) and Ruben Villareal (18-18-3). Rogers has made a name for himself going 10-2 in companies like Strikeforce and Elite XC with wins over former UFC champ Anderi Arlovski. Rogers has lost two straight thou against top ranked heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem. Villareal has been well traveled in his career fighting in various organizations like Strikeforce and King of the Cage. He biggest feet in his career was taking former UFC champ Don Frye to a draw.

In the co main event, Halifax's Roger Hollett (10-3) will face Mike Clark (1-1). Hollett has fought many times in his hometown where he picked up the Extreme Cage Combat Light heavyweight title in the process. He has also has success in Alberta where he won the MFC light heavyweight title over Victor Valimaki.

The card will also see local guys such as Matt Macgrath, Tristan Johnson and Jason Mackay as well as some big names from the international stage like TUF 11 contest Jamie Yager, Bellator Fighting Championship veteran Will Romero and Bellator signed Sean Pierson.

Fight Card-Subject to change

265lbs-Brett Rogers (10-2) vs Ruben Villareal (18-18-3)

205lbs-Mike Clark (1-1) vs Roger Hollett (10-3)

170lbs-Matt MacGrath (8-4) vs Ryan Machan (11-5)

145lbs-Tristan Johnson (5-1) vs Will Romero (5-1)

185lbs-Kyle Sandford (7-1) vs Chad Cox (5-2)

170lbs-Ricky Goodall (6-2) vs Sean Pierson (9-4)

155lbs-Jason Mackay (9-2) vs Juan Barrentes (7-5)

185lbs-Jamie Yager (2-2) vs Jeremy Hamilton (6-0)

170lbs-Joel Powell (1-2)vs Jeremy Bernard (2-3)

145lbs-Brad Duguay (7-5) vs Tom Waters (4-1)

145lbs-Pat Schilling (1-0) vs TBA